Oro Youths Shut Down PHED Office

Youths of Oro Nation in Akwa Ibom State have shut down the Power Holding Company of Nigeria in Oron over what they call "epileptic power supply" and "estimated billing".

They shut down the office during a peaceful protest today as they locked out staffers of the company, asking them to go to their homes and never to return.

Leading the protest, the President, Oron Union Youth Wing, Comrade Chris Ante condemned the maltreatment meted on the Oro people by the company. He stated that leaders of the nation have engaged in series of dialogues to resolve the issue without a headway.

He explained that after trying all modalities without their positive responses, the youths of Oro are determined to stop the exploitative tendencies of the company by stopping them from working.

"We've had several round table discussions with the management of PHED. They asked us to give them three months so they can fix the light. But we regret it because everything has become worst.

"They kept exploiting us with estimated billing. We are tired of their extortion. We are ready to stay in darkness. We will look for alternative ways of generating electricity for ourselves.

"The management of PHED should relocate their staff from Oron. We no more want their business to operate here. We are saying good bye to NEPA and PHED and there is no going back", he said.

As at the time of fielding this report, the Branch Manager of the company, Mr Stephen Mbat was reportedly absent from office as workers were seen parking their bags and working tools to leave for their respective homes.

Good. It’s time we took our country back